Susan Barwick Curlee

Susan Barwick Curlee, 69, of Chapel Hill, died December 15, 2020, surrounded by members of her family. Susan was born August 11, 1951 in Tampa, Florida. She was the daughter of Henry Clayton Curlee, Jr. and Jacqueline Norton Curlee. Susan grew up in Statesville, North Carolina. She graduated in 1969 from Statesville Senior High School, and in 1973 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Susan remained a loyal and enthusiastic Tar Heel fan her whole life.
After graduation, Susan was, for over twenty years, a kindergarten and elementary school teacher in Durham. She was a member of the Junior League of Durham and University Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. Susan was instrumental in starting the Stephen Ministry program in her church in 1989, and was one of the first Stephen Ministers. Later, Susan became involved in her church’s Christ Care Group. Susan’s family wishes to thank Senior Minister Justin Coleman, Rita Bigham of the Christ Care Group, and Terry Hamlet of the Stephen Ministry Group for their loving messages of thanks and praise to Susan for the work she had done in her church. They all commented on Susan’s bright, loving and caring spirit. Thanks to all!
Susan was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by two brothers and two sisters, Henry C. Curlee III and his wife Nancy, Louis Norton Curlee and his wife Melanie, Nancy Curlee Demorest and her husband Stephen, and Patricia Curlee Preyer-Porter and her husband Robert. Susan is also survived by eleven nieces and nephews who adored her, and two great nieces. Susan’s family wishes to thank all of her friends who have prayed for her and reached out to us over the past weeks when Susan was so ill.
Susan will always be remembered by her family and friends for her wonderful wit, great sense of humor, creative illustrated birthday and Christmas cards, and her love and knowledge of music. Her kindness, generous and caring spirit and loving heart will be missed by everyone who knew Susan. She was our sunshine!
Because of COVID restrictions, a private family graveside service is planned for Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville in January with Reverend Mitzi Johnson officiating. A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at University Methodist Church, at a later date.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to University Methodist Church, Stephen Ministry and Christ Care Groups, 150 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514.